Can anyone recommend a good standard Zoom

[matthias]

I'm looking for a reasonable standard zoom 28-80mm, but do not want to afford the ZEISS.
I do have the Yashica ML 3.5/35-70, which is very good, but I want to have a little bit more (this lens will be for sale, when I have a 28-85, if anyone is interested).

So, can anyone recommend a good quality, reasonable priced zoom?
Perhaps SIGMA or TAMRON.

Any experience ?

Thanks
Matthias

 

[writing4me]

Matthias, If you would please let me know how much you would ask for your yashica 35-70ML I may be interested (if you do decide to sell it). Shipping would be to US State of Wisconsin. Please email Lynn@turnkeydesign.net Thanks

Lynn PS: Avoid the extremely cheap sigma 28-80 3.5-5.6 eos version. I bought it as a very inexpensive lens for travel. While the color was pleasing, the fact that the autofocus broke within months of very limited use, the switch from AF to MF is almost inoperable and it feels like a toy of shiny plastic, did not make me happy.

 

[keoj]

Hi....I own the Yashica ML 28-85 and can't live without it. I would say that the only bad thing about this lens is that it is prone to flare but everything else looks good. I think (but I forget right now) that it got reasonable marks on the MTF scores.This is a very solidly built lens. I've never shot with the equivalent Zeiss lens. Anyone ever use both?

 

[jgban]

Matthias,
Before I could afford Zeiss I bought a Vivitar Series 1 28-105 f:2.8-3.8 macro. Some people on this list have said this lens was terrible, but I was happy with mine (except for vignetting when used with filters). I would happily sell mine now, but the postage to Germany would make this a very bad option for you. On the american eBay, the lens shows up new from time to time for around US$100 ("list price" is 330, the New York discounters ask for US$175); used ones for 45-65. This is all my experience. On the list someone had good things to say about a Tokina "normal" zoom, I don't remember the focal length.

Juan

 

[shq]

Matthias,

I still haven't sold my Vivivar Series One 28-105. Asking $80. I live in Russia. If you are interested, please contact me at shq@mail.ru.

Kirill.

 

[mcp]

Hi Matthias! I once had a Tokina 28-85 (don't remember the aperture) which was very good. I used it on Minolta and I'm very astonished every time I see the slides I made with this lens. Right now I have the VS 28-85 and I'm satisfied with sharpness and contrast but it is very difficult to protect against scattered light (I do not know the exact word for our german word "Streulicht"). Avoid Sigma 2,8/28-70! I had it in the AF-Version: The lens fell out of the barrel after the warranty period... Martin

 

[matthias]

Thanks Martin, I understand "Streulicht" very well, cause I am from Germany, too. Think, "flare" would be an appropriate translation. matthias

 

[tbarry]

I have the now-discontinued Tamron Adaptall zooms 28-85SP and 35-135. Bought both used (but not abused) and would recommend either one. Although the 35-135 is not labeled a high-performance SP lens, I find it to be about as good as the shorter SP, and that is quite good.

 

[wolfgang]

Servus Matthias!

I would recomend a second hand Zeiss zoom, try at Huppert, Wuppertal - little expensive, but has a great collection. IMHO try 35-70, sholud be affordable. I would avoid the "cheap" Sigma, because once You have bought it, You can never sell it because most Contaxarians love their Zeiss quality.

I know You do not want a zeiss, but I would save every Euro to be able to afford one (as I did).

regards
Wolfgang

 

[vdipiet]

Matthias, At various times I owned two versions of the Yashica 35-to 105 Zoom lens (the DSB version and the ML version) The ML is a finer lens than the DSB. The ML lenses tend to be of very good quality as I am sure you are aware. The first 35-105DSB I gave to a lady friend. I traded my ML 35-105 toward the Zeiss 28-70. I sort of wish I had paid the extra money toward the Zeiss and kept the ML zoom it was such a fine one. occasionaly I see this lens offered for sale on ebay. The prices tend to be quite low, but then again Yashica ML lenses and their quality are one of the best kept secrets around.